C02 36ppm From The Tap

[WendyinWichita]

First things first. My tap is direct from a water well. The PH and minerals can tend to change depending on the rainfall, how much fertilizer is used in the fields surrounding me etc.

I had a CO2 disaster recently and couldn't justify how it happened. I did go to a canister filter instead of HOB, but using the DIY yeast, had never gotten my C02 levels higher than 10 or 12.

I do test the PH of the well water, but recently tested KH and GH as well. KH is 12 (214 PPM), and GH 22 (hard) PH was 7.0.

I understand how the PH shifts after a big rain or snowfall, but how does the KH increase?

Does the KH or C02 dissipate if the water is standing? And do I need to even add C02 to my tanks since I do 20 to 30% water changes weekly?

For now, I am running the C02, but also running bubblers full time as well. I was running the bubblers at night only, but during a siesta, all of the fish began gasping at the surface again. My fish must be quite sensitive, because the PH hasn't really fallen from 7.0 (using two different test kits)(I have a new KH kit on the way to compare with my current kit as well).

All of the fish seem happy when the bubbler is on. The most sensitive seem to be Rummy Nose Tetras and a couple of Cardinal Tetras that are now in the tank.

Current stats (just tested) PH 7.0, KH 14 so CO2 =42 I am running a bubbler and also 2 2Liter DIY.

 

[pseud]

I would doubt that your CO2 levels are that high from the tap. High levels of phosphate can apparently cause a miscalculation, as can high calcium levels.. i think.. dont' quote me on it though..

http/www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant_co2chart.htm

have a read of that page, and maybe do a search on google...

 

[pseud]

Done a bit more reading, and basically, look at it this way.

The KH test kits measure the alkalinity of the water and then presumes that this alkalinity is a measure of the carbonate and tells you what the KH is. Fact of the matter is that other substances in the water can contribute to the alkalinity of the water, and thus the so called KH can be 'high' or 'low'. Does that make sense?

At least that's how I understand it.

So basically, the KH test kits are good as a general guide, but if you have high levels of other base substances in your water then, they're useless....

 

[WendyinWichita]

Ah, but guess what? I have a Phosphate test kit (and I use it regularily) The Phosphate level from the tap is 0.5ppm which I don't think is high (is it?).

I think I will leave a cup of water to set overnight and then retest in the morning to see if things "equalize" as the link explains.

My fish sure think the C02 levels are reading accurately. If I turn off the bubbler, they are at the surface gasping within 2 hours. Maybe I am just gunshy since I lost my two best and favorite fish, and all of my shrimpl

 

[pseud]

Well phosphate isn't the only thing that can upset the alkalinity...

 

[WendyinWichita]

So Pseud, since you are the only soul brave enough to give me any tips etc, do you have any links to any other articles thay may shed light as to what other minerals may be causing my readings?

I have re-read Chucks article, and he pretty much focuses on Phosphates, and my levels are not high so I don't think that is not the answer.

I don't add any type of buffers, the gravel I use is inert (no shells etc) with Laterite mixed in. No rocks in the aquarium at all. The same piece of driftwood has been in the tank since set up (last summer).

I did start adding sodium bicarb to the DIY mix to buffer, but that was done after the PH went down, and CO2 went up. (which seemed to happen within days of changing from HOB filter to canister.)

My PH is certainly lower than it ever has been, I used to have to use a high range test kit to get readings, (from the tap) but now the PH is 7.0 from the tap.

I had a 2 liter full of clean water that had been setting for a week on the counter top so tested it to see if there had been any "stabilizing". The PH was 7.2 and KH 13.

My main concern is stability of the tanks, for the plants and the fish, I don't want to have a huge algae bloom with fluctuating CO2 levels.

Really, I guess there isn't much I can do except keep monitering like I am already doing. Knowing my enemy is my best defense I guess, so if anybody knows of any articles that someone who isn't a scientist can understand please pass the link along!

 

[pseud]

http/www.advancedaquarist.com/issues/feb2002/chemistry.htm

I don't understand it though. All I could gather from it is basically carbonate, bicarbonate, borate at least contribute to alkalinity.. also calcium carbonate. I've also PMed you.